If you’re like I am you don’t like surprises to derail your agenda. But life brings change, lots of change, and somehow we need to understand the how and why it doesn’t go according to plan, especially when it doesn’t fit our tailor-made script or make any sense. None.
And we hate what we don’t understand.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us for everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven . . . an appointed time, no random string of events. And the God that is anything but random tells us right there on the holy page, that there is a reason for that which is done . . .to be made beautiful in the divine His-timing :11.
Biblically and experientially I want to get that. But, it’s difficult when we see what’s going on in our world, especially the small world of our own. Because everything isn’t beautiful. Sin isn’t beautiful and the fruit that comes after. Events touch our lives that stop us in our tracks to question how it could ever be the right time or for our beautiful good.
I believe if we unwrap life we will find a purpose. And when we can’t, we need to believe there is one beneath the rubble.
You don’t have to have lived-life-long like me to remember the song by the Byrds back in the 60s, Turn, Turn, Turn. The original title of the song was To Everything There is a Season written by peace activist Pete Seeger. At the time, I didn’t realize the mysterious words were almost a direct quote from scripture written for all people, for all time. Honestly, just didn’t know . . .
The folk song brought a silent reflection into a time of national turmoil. And so, it remains timeless for then and for now . . .
For everything there is a season and a time for everything under heaven.
A time to be born, a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to break down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh.
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together.
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.
A time to seek and a time to lose.
A time to keep and a time to cast away.
A time to tear and a time to repair.
A time to keep silence and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace . . .
And when peace unravels, we have to be aware that there has always been a raging war – it started long before King Solomon’s writing or Pete Seeger’s lyrics. Though evil seems to know how to find our vulnerable-selves, so does our omniscient God, who knows when we sit, stand (and kneel). And no matter how this fallen world continues to fall, we can hold tight to the One who begs us to turn away . . . and turn to HIM.
Because God is Lord over time . . .
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me.
Psalm 23:4
song by Adie Camp . . . .
Verna
So glad for the changing seasons in our lives and for the reality that He is able to make all things beautiful in its time, even the unthinkable.
Love your new format. Blessings!
And we can rest in the reality in order to embrace the season, can’t we? Thank you always, Glenda!
Thank you as usual Verna. Ecclesiastes covers I think whatever and anything we can think of that’s right and wrong in this world. I think that none of us is spared but thank God for God! Pray it’s a grad day for everyone … . Rick
Love that, Rick – thank God for God! And yes, this small section of Ecclesiastes does cover our times . . .and may you be blessed!
Thank you Verna, I always enjoy your readings and you always manage to touch my heart.
What if if not for the Lord!
Love you!
Gina